Citrus plant named ‘First Canadian’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Citrus , ‘First Canadian’, that is characterized by its low light tolerance when grown in a home windowsill without supplemental lighting in small containers, its fruit that is similar in quality to high quality commercial lemons and essentially seedless, its fruit with a skin thickness of 5 to 6 mm and Brix of 7° to 8° with a tart flavor, its dwarf, bushy plant habit that is ideal for small container windowsill culture in homes and commercial buildings, its ability to grow well and produce an abundance of fruit in hydroculture, its mature fruit with bright yellow skin and a conspicuous style and stigma, its dense flower clusters of 8 to 12 blooms resulting in up to 6 fruits per cluster, and its multiple cycles of blooms and fruit set per year (up to 4 cycles).

Botanical classification: Citrus hybrid.

Varietal denomination: ‘FIRST CANADIAN’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to a Canadian plant breeders' rightsapplication filed on Mar. 7, 2011, application No. 11-7213. There havebeen no offers for sale anywhere in the world prior to the effectivefiling date of this Application and no accessibility to one of ordinaryskill in the art could have been derived from the printed plantbreeder's rights documents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Citrusplant, botanically of hybrid origin and known as Citrus ‘First Canadian’and will be referred to hereafter by its cultivar name, ‘FirstCanadian’. The new cultivar represents a new dwarf lemon plant that isgrown for use in homes under low light conditions.

The new cultivar was derived from an ongoing controlled breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, that commenced in1981. The overall purpose of the breeding program is the creation of anew type of dwarf lemon trees and other hybrid Citrus trees that exhibitthe fruit quality of commercial varieties that are also Low LightTolerant [LLT] and can be grown in homes on indoor windowsills in small6-inch containers with only natural available light.

The new cultivar arose from a cross made in April of 1991 between anunnamed and unpatented proprietary plant from the Inventor's breedingprogram designated as “CLX-1” (Citrus medica x Citrus limonia) as thefemale parent and Citrus x meyeri (unpatented) as the male parent.‘First Canadian’ was selected as a single unique plant amongst theseedlings from the above cross in October 2010.

Asexual propagation of the new cultivar was first accomplished by stemcuttings in Saskatoon Canada, by the Inventor in October of 2010.Asexual propagation by stem cuttings has been determined that thecharacteristics of this cultivar are stable and are true to type insuccessive reproductions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent theunique characteristics of the new cultivar of Citrus. Trials wereconducted over many years in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

-   -   1. ‘First Canadian’ exhibits low light tolerance when grown in a        home windowsill without supplemental lighting in small        containers.    -   2. ‘First Canadian’ exhibits fruit that is similar in quality to        high quality commercial Lemons and is essentially seedless (an        occasionally seed may arise as the plant is apomictic).    -   3. ‘First Canadian’ exhibits fruit with a skin thickness of 5 to        6 mm.    -   4. ‘First Canadian’ exhibits fruit with a Brix of 7° to 8° with        a tart flavor.    -   5. ‘First Canadian’ exhibits a dwarf, bushy plant habit that is        ideal for small container windowsill culture in homes in cold        climates, and can be made into a bonsai tree.    -   6. ‘First Canadian’ exhibits good fruit production indoors in        homes and commercial buildings where the atmospheric temperature        is within 55 to 75° F. and the available light level is of        typical of indoor spaces (75-200 μmol/m2/s).    -   7. ‘First Canadian’ exhibits the ability to grow well and        produce an abundance of fruit in hydroculture (up to 36 fruits        per year has been observed).    -   8. ‘First Canadian’ exhibits mature fruit with bright yellow        skin and a conspicuous style and stigma.    -   9. ‘First Canadian’ exhibits dense flower clusters of 8 to 12        flowers resulting in up to 6 fruits per cluster.    -   10. ‘First Canadian’ exhibits multiple cycles of blooms and        fruit set per year (up to 4 cycles).

The female parent of ‘First Canadian’, “CLX-1”, differs from ‘FirstCanadian’ in having fruit that is larger ellipsoid shape in size, bloomsand fruits less frequently, and in having less flowers per cluster. Themale parent of ‘First Canadian’, Citrus x meyeri, differs from ‘FirstCanadian’ in having fruit that is smaller in size, epicarp and juicevesicles that are more orange in color, juicier and sweeter with athinner rind, and in having leaves that are ovate in shape and petiolesthat lack wings. In addition, Citrus x meyeri, fails to thrive whengrown under low light conditions. ‘First Canadian’ is unique in itsability to grow and set fruit under low light conditions and theInventor has not had success in growing any other available cultivarsunder the same conditions. ‘First Canadian’ can be compared to theCitrus cultivar ‘Ponderosa’ (not patented), however ‘Ponderosa’ is grownby home owners outdoors in subtropical climates. ‘Ponderosa’ differs inhaving fruit that is more ellipsoid in shape with a nipple present. Thefruit is also 3-4 times larger with a rough skin and the tree matures toa much larger size and fails to thrive when grown under low lightconditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the distinguishingcharacteristics of the new cultivar ‘First Canadian’. The photographs inFIG. 1 and FIG. 2 were taken of plants (and plant parts) 27 years in ageas grown in a container (12″ in length, 12″ in width, 20″ in height) ina greenhouse in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The photographs in FIG.3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 were taken of plants (and plant parts) about 2years in age as grown indoors on a home windowsill in small 6-inchcontainers in Grasswood, Saskatchewan, Canada.

The photograph in FIG. 1 provides a view of the dwarf habit of a 27year-old plant of ‘First Canadian’.

The photograph in FIG. 2 provides a view of maturing fruit of ‘FirstCanadian’.

The photograph in FIG. 3 provides a view of a whole fruit and cut fruitof ‘First Canadian’.

The photograph in FIG. 4 provides a view of a hydroponically grownplant.

The photograph in FIG. 5 provides a view of an inflorescence.

The colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describethe colors of the new Citrus.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of 1 to 2-year-old plants of thenew cultivar as grown indoors under low light in containers in agreenhouse in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The phenotype has notbeen observed to be consistent when grown under constant indoortemperature, variable day length, natural reflected light intensity, andproper water and fertility levels. However, the phenotype of the newcultivar may vary with variations in environmental and culturalconditions, as it has not been tested under all possible environmentalconditions. The color determination is in accordance with The 2015Colour Chart of the Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, exceptwhere general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   General description:    -   -   Tree type.—Sub-tropical bush, evergreen.        -   Tree habit.—Dwarf, upright, rounded, bushy plant habit, can            be controlled by pruning for suitable indoor growing area            and shape.        -   Tree size.—16 cm in height and 15.4 cm width after 27 years            of growth in a relatively small container (12″ in length,            12″ in width, and 20″ in height), outdoor trials in            subtropical or tropical environments has not been conducted.        -   Growth rate.—Slow to moderate in a 6-inch container.        -   Diseases.—Although the new cultivar has been observed to be            disease free, no susceptibility or resistance to diseases            can be claimed as there is no Citrus diseases pressure in            Canada as they are not naturally grown there.        -   Pests.—No resistance to pests has been observed, control            measures may be necessary to treat or avoid insect problems            that commonly effect houseplants and greenhouse grown            plants.        -   Hardiness.—Grown as an indoor plant only, outdoor trials            have not been conducted to date.        -   Environmental conditions.—Performs extremely well in            constant temperatures in indoor windows of homes without the            addition of any artificial light.        -   Propagation.—Stem cuttings, budding onto rootstock has not            been tested.        -   Root development.—Roots initiate in 4 to 6 weeks under mist            and become fully rooted in 4 to 6 weeks as a young plant,            plants will bloom and set fruit in 4 months to one year            depending on the stem location of the stem cuttings (tip or            tender shoot cuttings require about one year).-   Branch description:    -   -   Trunk description.—Two main trunks, up to 5 cm in diameter            as observed 2.5 cm above soil level on a 27 year-old plant.        -   Branching habit.—Pruning the plant can produce any desirable            shape from the main stem.        -   Branch strength.—Adequate to support the heavy load of the            fruits, even on a small plant.        -   Branch surface.—Smooth and shiny on new growth, becomes            slightly rough and finely ridged as it matures.        -   Internode length.—Average of 2.3 cm.        -   Branch color.—Branches 147B, trunk 199B with thickened bark            199D in roughest and most mature sections.-   Description of dormant shoots:    -   -   Branch appearance.—Flattened to slightly oval on new growth.        -   Branch strength.—Strong and flexible, not brittle.        -   Branch size.—Highly variable in length and 1 to 3 mm in            width.        -   Branch surface.—Smooth bark for the first 1 year, then            becoming finely ridged.        -   Branch internode length.—Variable depending on the amount of            light and season, average of 2 to 4 cm.        -   Stem color.—138A.        -   Shoot angle.—Approximately 45°.-   Description of growing shoots:    -   -   Color of shoot.—140A, mature shoot a color between 138A and            137B.        -   Shoot size.—Highly variable in length and an average of 3 mm            in width. hoot        -   Shoot surface.—Glabrous.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Leaf orientation.—Upward to outward with aspect slightly            cupped inward (influenced by light source).        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf shape.—Elliptic.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Irregular.        -   Leaf size.—Average of 11 cm in length and 5.5 to 6.5 cm in            width (leaves are smaller towards the tip and under higher            light).        -   Leaf apex.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf base.—Cuneate.        -   Leaf surface.—Glabrous and satiny on both surfaces, speckled            with minute translucent oil glands.        -   Leaf texture.—Thick and leathery.        -   Leaf margin.—Crenulate at 3 to 5 mm intervals.        -   Leaf color.—Upper surface emerging leaves 138C, upper            surface mature leaves 138A, lower surface emerging leaves            138D, lower surface mature leaves 138A.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnate, upper surface; 138A in color, lower            surface; prominently raised main vein and slightly raised            lateral veins, 138A in color.        -   Petiole.—Slightly winged near leaf base, average of 1.3 to            1.5 cm in length, 2 mm in diameter, wings 1 mm in width,            138A in color, glabrous surface.        -   Durability of foliage to stress.—Returns from wilting with            no damage.        -   Thorns.—Attachment is superior to leaf petiole and lateral            to bud, linear in shape, average of 1 to 4 cm in length, 0.5            to 2 mm in diameter, color 138A at base and 170B at apex.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flowering period.—Average of every 90 to 120 days, will            bloom indoors up to 4 times per year, cuttings will bloom            immediately to 3 to 4 months or later depending on the stem            location where the cuttings were taken.        -   Number of flowers.—Average of 6 to 12 per node.        -   Inflorescence type.—Clusters borne on axillary nodes.        -   Inflorescence size.—Average cluster is about 5 cm in            diameter, depending upon the number of blooms.        -   Flower buds.—Oblong in shape, NN155B in color, an average of            2 cm in length and 5 to 7 mm in diameter, glabrous surface.        -   Flower size.—When fully opened, average of 6 cm in diameter,            2.5 to 3 cm in depth.        -   Flower fragrance.—Mildly sweet, lemongrass-like.        -   Flower aspect.—Upright and outward.        -   Petals.—5 per flower, un-fused, elliptic in shape and            recurved, acute apex, truncate base, entire margin, about            1.8 cm in length and 5 mm in width, color of upper and lower            surface NN155B and mature to NN155D, surface is satiny and            glabrous, thick substance, readily shed.        -   Calyx.—Fused sepals, circular, cupped around ovary, 5 to 7            mm in diameter, an average of 2 mm in depth, waxy surface.        -   Peduncle.—138A in color, 2 to 4 cm in length and an average            of 1.5 mm in width, waxy surface.        -   Pedicel.—An average of 2 mm in width and length, 138A in            color, waxy surface.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Hypogynium.—Small and barely visible to the naked eye.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistil; 1, 2 to 2.2 cm in length, stigma; 5 mm in            diameter, 150C in color, style; 9 to 1.2 cm in length and 2            to 2.5 mm in width, 145C in color, ovary; 8 mm in width, 1.2            cm in length, 150D in color.        -   Androecium.—Stamens; average of 24, filaments; 8 mm in            length, fused into upright ring, 155C in color, anther;            spear shaped, 1.5 to 2 mm in length, 7A in color, pollen;            moderate in quantity, 20B in color.-   Fruit description:    -   -   Fruit harvest.—Present year around in various stages of            development are present, on average, it flowers every 3            months for 4 crops per year.        -   Fruit type.—Hesperidium.        -   Fruit size.—5 to 6 cm in diameter, 6 to 6.5 cm in length.        -   Fruit shape.—Spheroid with an extended style and stigma 5 to            7 mm in length.        -   Fruit symmetry.—Roughly symmetrical from left to right            hemisphere and top to bottom hemisphere with an extended            style with stigma at the distal end of the fruit, truncated            at the proximal end (the base of the fruit).        -   Fruit flavor.—Tart.        -   Fruit weight.—Average of 110 grams.        -   Fruit aroma.—Strong lemon scented.        -   Fruit flesh color.—4B with endocarp partitions 155B.        -   Color of axis.—155B.        -   Flesh texture.—Glossy, juicy.        -   Navel presence.—None, instead of a navel, a style 5 to 7 mm            in length with a stigma present on the majority of fruits at            maturity.        -   Skin (rind).—5 to 6 mm in thickness, outer layer pitted,            glossy, brilliant yellow epicarp with oil glands (medium            pits), 4B in color, average 2 to 3 mm in thickness, inner            surface (mesocarp or albedo); fibrous, 155B in color,            average of 3 mm in thickness.        -   Fruit segments.—10 to 12, an average of 4.5 to 5 cm in            length and 1.5 to 2.25 cm in width.        -   Fruit brix.—Typically 7° to 8°.        -   Fruit set.—Heavy, best to thin out the flowers when            blooming.        -   Seed.—Seedless (an occasionally seed may arise as the plant            is apomictic).        -   Cropping frequency.—Year around, fruits need to be picked            prevent the fruiting branch from drying up.        -   Juice production.—An average of 35 to 40 ml per fruit.        -   Fruit keeping quality.—2 to 3 weeks at room temperatures            before rind begins to mummify and fruit volume begins to            shrink from dehydration, 6 to 8 weeks if refrigerated with            humidity control, the fruit will remain juicy for many            months on the plant until harvested but will eventually            dehydrate.        -   Fruit shipping quality.—The fruit is thick skinned and            suitable packing materials may be used to transport.        -   Fruit use.—Home use, primarily for fresh consumption, juice            and processing into pickles, or rind for candy making, not            intended for commercial juicing.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Citrus tree named ‘FirstCanadian’ as described and illustrated herein.